Wrestlers Protest: PT Usha called wrestlers ‘undisciplined’, accused of tarnishing the country’s image

Former veteran athlete PT Usha is the President of the Indian Olympic Association.Image Credit source: PTI

New Delhi: Indian wrestlers demanding action against Wrestling Association President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh have heard many different things so far. Some in his favor and some against him. Despite this, he would hardly have thought that the President of the Indian Olympic Association and great athlete PT Usha would make statements against him. The IOA president has termed the strike by the wrestlers as indiscipline and tarnishing the reputation of sports.

Veteran Indian wrestlers like Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik, who sat on strike for the first time in January, returned again after three months. The wrestlers again sat on a dharna at Jantar Mantar after the demand for action against the WFI president was not fulfilled despite the first dharna.

‘Pahlav is spoiling the image of the country’

This strike of wrestlers has once again attracted everyone’s attention and in such a situation, questions are being raised from the Central Government to the Sports Ministry, as well as questions are being raised on the IOA. Amidst the growing controversy, the statement of IOA President PT Usha has put the agitating wrestlers in a quandary. Speaking to the media after the IOA Executive Council meeting on Thursday, PT Usha said that the agitating wrestlers are tarnishing the image of the country and their act amounts to indiscipline.

Wrestler disappointed with Usha’s statement

Now obviously this kind of statement is shocking for the wrestlers sitting on strike because PT Usha has been an athlete in her own right. Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia, sitting on the dharna, expressed his surprise and disappointment. Punia said that he was expecting support from the IOA president and his such a strong statement was shocking.

Constitution of Ad-Hoc Committee

At the same time, after the order of the Sports Ministry, the IOA has formed an ad-hoc committee, which will take care of the day-to-day work of the WFI. Former shooter Suma Shirur and President of Indian Wushu Association Bhupendra Singh Bajwa have been included in this committee. Apart from these two, a retired High Court judge will also be included. However, a decision has not been taken on his name. Apart from the day-to-day work, this committee will also get the Federation elections completed in the next 45 days.